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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Shit just shit. This was my family and would have been my life if I was born 50 years back in time. This book was truly a time capsule dedicated to the town that is in my blood.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
queer historical fiction is all i really need in life. but seriously i cried quite a few times, and there is a lot of triggering stuff in here that i wasn’t totally prepared for (to no fault of the author- i read the blurb before ordering but then the shipping was delayed quite a bit so i just forgot about it) that was a bit hard to read at times, so be warned. (racism, homophobia, violence, etc.) I do think this is an important story that needs to be read.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely heartbreaking but beautiful story, can’t really get my thoughts straight right now but I just want to say please to however is planning on reading this book, Read the trigger warnings and take care of yourself <3
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was super hard. There’s a lot of violence and self-harm and racism and internalized homophobia. That said, it is set at a super interesting and important time in queer history… and by extension American history. Though fictional, it’s a part of history that we didn’t really study in school, and that certainly adds some context.
There is also a lot of music and pop-culture woven through the book, with the main characters listening to a lot of records and finding affinity with David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Aladdin Sane, among other albums.
As of this writing I’m giving it 3.75 stars, and I’m really not sad that I read it, but it’s a heavy one, to be sure.
There is also a lot of music and pop-culture woven through the book, with the main characters listening to a lot of records and finding affinity with David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Aladdin Sane, among other albums.
As of this writing I’m giving it 3.75 stars, and I’m really not sad that I read it, but it’s a heavy one, to be sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Self harm
Minor: Sexual violence, Police brutality, Murder
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Blood, Death of parent